Off-Road Driving Tips for Mud and Sand
Going off road in an all-terrain vehicle can present multiple terrain challenges all of which require different considerations to maximise your enjoyment and safety and minimise the risk to you and your four-wheel drive vehicle. This guide gives a brief overview of the best way to approach various terrain types, especially in Australia where we have almost every type of terrain.
Before setting out, especially in a new off-road SUV, always make sure you and your passengers are wearing climate-suitable clothing and have the full complement of safety equipment including an emergency beacon, extra food and water, extra fuel, tow rope and shovel as well as plenty of water. The final safety precaution is always to tell someone where you are going and when you expect to get back.
***Driving on Mud and Sand in a 4×4.***
Many advanced four-wheel drive vehicles have a unique Terrain Response system that can be set for different driving conditions: rock crawl, mud and ruts, sand, grass/gravel/snow or road. This is is an innovative 4×4 off road feature that should be used in conjunction with proactive driving techniques. Here are some additional tips for off road driving in mud and sand. Read the rest of this entry »
How To Use Your 4WD SUV On And Off Road
Whether out in the country or cruising the freeway, a 4WD SUV can be a necessity. Although technically a passenger vehicle, it is also a tool, thus the word “utility” as in “sport utility vehicle”. Like any new tool, a 4WD SUV will take some time to master, and the rules are different for both on and off road use; instructions must be followed for optimum performance – and fun!
Four wheel drive SUV’s generally have three drive train settings: auto (2WD or “auto” on the selector), four high (4H on the selector), and four low (4L on the selector). These settings simply tell the driver how many wheels are driving the vehicle at any given time, and how much power is being transferred to those wheels. For instance, when the vehicle is in 2WD, only two wheels are driving the vehicle, just like a standard car. When the setting is changed to 4H, so it the same as a 4×4 vehicle, more power is transferred to the wheels, and it can be driven at highway speeds. 4L is known as the “granny gear”; all four wheels are driving the vehicle with maximum power, and it can only be driven very slowly.
Generally speaking, a 4WD SUV spends most of its time on the street in 2WD mode. In the name of fuel efficiency, the vehicle should ideally be left in 2WD on dry, paved roads. Of course, many times road conditions are less than ideal. Switching to 4H should be considered when the road is slippery, usually in snow or ice, and can usually be done while the vehicle is in motion. Read the rest of this entry »